Dr. Christopher Deal is Chief Resident for Internal Medicine, in his third year of residency but in his first year in Beaumont. There is also a pharmacy residency in the hospital. The program is a partner with the medical school at Sam Houston State and also partners with Lamar University on some programs. At present, Baptist is considering other residency programs.

The residency trains graduated doctors from medical school a total of three years. After 1 year of training a resident can apply for a medical license. Eligible residents become board certified internists and they can practice or apply to fellowships for further training. Internists can work in the following areas: Hospital Medicine, Outpatient Medicine, or special training (Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Pulmonology, Nephrology, Geriatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, Infectious Decisions and Academic.)

At present there are 13 first year residents, 6 second year and 1 third year in the program. In July a new class will enter with 13 residents. The residents are interviewed and selected from applicants all over the world. The residents work in teams and manage 10-20 patients at a time as they follow the patient from admission to discharge. They will manage diagnosis and test complex medical problems and provide care for Beaumont and Jefferson County patients with a heavy focus on diabetes, hypertension, chronic disease, heart, chronic lung and kidney disease which medical personnel in this area see a lot.

The approach to work is to look at all possible issues so that nothing is left out and residents don’t jump to conclusions too early. The program is dedicated to evidence-based practice with a standard of excellence for daily and life-long learning. Dr. Deal stated that “we need to know what we don’t know.”

Along with the program, Dr. Deal strongly believes in a work/life balance. Residencies that overwork participants don’t assist that individual in dealing with work and a life outside of work once the residency is over. He has worked out a collegiality atmosphere that he believes is healthier and creates a better teaching atmosphere. One of his best loved exercises is to state that he doesn’t know anything about x. Then his residents are requested to learn about x that evening and discuss it the next day. He feels strongly that physicians should learn to say “I don’t know” if that is the truth.